How to Purchase a Domain from GoDaddy and Connect it to Shopify
This guide is designed to help you, whether you’re just starting out or need a little refresher. Here, we’ll walk you through the steps to buy a domain from GoDaddy and connect it to your Shopify store. Let’s get your store set up with a custom domain in just a few simple steps!
Step 1: Buy a Domain from GoDaddy
1. Visit GoDaddy.com:
- Open your browser and go to GoDaddy’s website.
2. Search for Your Domain Name:
- In the search bar, type in the domain name you want (for example, yourstore.com).
3. Add the Domain to Your Cart:
- If your domain is available, click Add to Cart.
4. Go to Checkout:
- Review your cart and choose how long you want to register the domain for (1 year is usually fine).
- You can also choose extras like privacy protection (optional).
5. Sign In or Create a GoDaddy Account:
- If you already have an account, log in. If not, click Create Account to set one up.
6. Enter Payment Details and Complete Purchase:
- Fill in your payment info and click Complete Purchase.
- You’ll get an email confirming your purchase – save that for reference!
Step 2: Connect Your GoDaddy Domain to Shopify
1. Log In to Shopify:
- Go to shopify.com and log in to your Shopify store.
2. Open the Domains Settings:
- In the Shopify dashboard, click Settings (bottom left) and then choose Domains.
3. Connect Your Domain:
- Click on Connect Existing Domain, type in your new domain (e.g., yourstore.com), and click Next.
4. Automatic Connection (Easiest):
- If Shopify detects it’s a GoDaddy domain, click Connect Automatically.
- Log in to your GoDaddy account when prompted and allow Shopify to make the DNS changes.
5. Manual Connection (If Needed):
- If the automatic option doesn’t work, you’ll need to do it manually:
- Log into GoDaddy, go to Manage DNS for your domain.
- Change the A Record to Shopify’s IP: `23.227.38.65`.
- Change the CNAME Record (www) to `shops.myshopify.com`.
- Save your changes.
6. Verify Connection in Shopify:
- Back in Shopify, click Verify Connection to confirm it’s set up correctly.
Step 3: Make the Domain Your Primary Domain (Optional)
1. Set as Primary:
- After connecting the domain, go back to Settings > Domains and click on your GoDaddy domain.
- Select Set as Primary to make it the main domain people see.
Step 4: Test Your New Domain
1. Check Your Site:
- Open a new browser tab and type in your domain (like `yourstore.com`) to see if it takes you to your Shopify store.
2. Wait for DNS Propagation:
- Sometimes changes take up to 48 hours, so if it doesn’t work immediately, just give it some time.
That’s it! Now you’ve got a brand-new domain connected to your Shopify store. If you need more help, don’t hesitate to reach out to Shopify or GoDaddy support!